Buckeye I usually charge a finders fee but since you don't have the intials of F.E. I let it pass this time try this link
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/NTESearch?storeId=6970&N=0&Ntk=All&Ntt=pilot+point+drill+bits&Nty=1&D=pilot+point+drill+bits&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Dx=mode+matchallpartial
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
Buckeye, All joking aside just do a search for "Pilot Point Bits" and as Brent said use at a slow speed. If you try to go to fast and with to much force the plastic will tend to melt and result in an irregular hole and possible cracking. I think my last set were from Home Depot.
Remember the Veterans. Past, present and future.
www.sd3r.org
Proud New Member Of The NRA
lionroar88 Buckeye,I have a set of drill bits with pilot points for just this purpose. The pilot point of the next higher sized bit fits in the hole you just drilled. Also, I go with a slow drill speed and the last hole would be drilled from the outside in.
Buckeye,I have a set of drill bits with pilot points for just this purpose. The pilot point of the next higher sized bit fits in the hole you just drilled. Also, I go with a slow drill speed and the last hole would be drilled from the outside in.
Brent......I am somewhat leery of taking your advice due to your past efforts in the field of construction, but this time I will make an exception. Where did you get the bits? I never knew anything like that existed.
Ken......Thanks.
Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum.
Buckeye Riveter......... OTTS Charter Member, a Roseyville Raider and a member of the CTT Forum since 2004..
Jelloway Creek, OH - ELV 1,100 - Home of the Baltimore, Ohio & Wabash RR
TCA 09-64284
I took a piece of graph paper that was cut to the size of the cab roof and used it to find the true center of the roof. Fortunately in my case the grid lines lined up perfectly with the roof edges. Once I found true center I took a spring loaded center punch and marked the spot for the hole. I then took a very small but and a pin vise and slowly drilled a pilot hole. Then continuing with the pin vice I just started increasing the diameter of the hole taking "baby steps" when increasing wire drill sizes. Was very pleased with the outcome!
Hope this helps!
Ken
Reviewing all the help I received, I believe Doug has the best idea for putting a hole in the roof of my new Williams BL2 for the strobe light. I just don't think Laz and RT understand the toughness of plastic model trains. Just because Laz has been a shop teacher for over 100 years, why would I think he knows anything about tools? Doug, my check for your help is in the mail.
Thanks guys!!! I'm not really going to blow a hole in the roof but it gives all the newbies something to talk about.
This will do the job, not sure how the paint will hold up.
Buckeye, Got any experience with "shaped charges" ?
Small drill press would make it a lot easier also
BUCKEYE,
Pretty easy to do but you gotta take your time. It all starts with taking a step approach. If the hole requires a 1/4 inch hole, start out with a pilot hole of 1/16 then go to 1/8 inch then 3/16 the finally to your 1/4 inch hole. Very easy and the bit won't start to wander on you. Hope this clears it up?
laz57
Does anyone have any good hints or tips for drilling a hole in the roof of my Williams FM Trainmaster for the installation of a yellow strobe light?
LAZ...You're the shop teacher so HELP before I screw something up!!!
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.
Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month